How-To

How to Use Internet Explorer on Windows 11

By Brian Burgess

Updated April 18, 2024

If you come across a website that doesn’t work with Windows 11’s default browser, Microsoft Edge, you can switch to using IE Mode.

With Windows 11, Microsoft has removed several outdated apps and features, including the long-hated Internet Explorer (IE). IE is an old and insecure web browser. However, some proprietary apps and legacy sites still require Internet Explorer functionality to run. You may encounter this on outdated government sites and company intranet systems.

When you begin using Windows 11, Microsoft Edge will automatically appear as the default browser. If you search for Internet Explorer, you won’t find anything. The only way to get IE functionality in Windows 11 is to use IE Mode from Microsoft Edge.

If you want to use IE on Windows 11 using Microsoft Edge, here’s what you’ll need to do.

How to Use Internet Explorer in Windows 11

1. To use IE Mode, press Start and launch Microsoft Edge from the Start menu. In the new Microsoft Edge window, click the Settings (three-dots) icon at the top right, then press the Settings option at the bottom.
2. Click the Default Browser option from the column on the left.
3. Under the Internet Explorer Compatibility section, find the Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) and click the dropdown menu to Allow. 
4. Additionally, you can click the Add button next to the Internet Explorer mode pages option. The pages you add will open in IE mode for 30 days from the time you add them.
5. Type in the URL of the site you want to open in IE mode and click the Add button.
6. Once you add a site and open it, it will launch in Internet Explorer mode. You can tell by looking at the IE icon in the address bar.

Remember, once you add a site, Edge will load the website using IE mode for 30 days. At the conclusion of the 30-day period, you will need to delete the URL and re-add it.

Using Internet Explorer Mode in Windows 11

If you’re looking for Internet Explorer support for the rare occasions you encounter a site only compatible with IE, you won’t find the standalone browser anymore. The only way to get Internet Explorer to work on Windows 11 is to use IE mode using the steps above.

It’s rare to come across a site that isn’t compatible with Edge (or another modern browser), but some legacy education and government sites still require it. Also, sometimes, you may need to access your company’s intranet, which doesn’t work with modern browsers. Whatever the case, thanks to IE mode in Edge, you can still access those sites.